Joyce returns to form with Warner Cup win

   With the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion just 12 days away on this sweltering Saturday, a report from a Golf Association of Philadelphia event is in order.

   Timothy Joyce of Edgmont Country Club saw his handicap rise from 11 to 16 as the 68-year-old Media resident slowly recovered from an injury suffered throwing the baseball around with his grandson two summers ago.

   But it looked like Joyce had his game back on track on the day after Memorial Day as he fought through cold and rainy conditions to post an 80 at Concord Country Club. That was good for a net 62 that easily gave him the overall title in the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Warner Cup (Net) event.

   “It’s pretty exciting,” Joyce said. “Ever since I got injured it’s been pretty frustrating because my handicap has been going up and up. I was trying to compensate for my shoulder the last few years and my swing has gotten really screwed up. I received a couple of injections this year, one in March and another in May and it’s started to feel better.”

   Joyce really got it going on the back nine at Concord, including a stretch of six straight net under-par scores. He made a natural birdie on the 438-yard, par-5 14^th.

   “I hit a good drive and knocked a 9-iron over the corner of the dogleg to 70 yards, then I hit my sand wedge to 10 feet,” said Joyce, who moved from The Springhaven Club to Edgmont a couple of years ago. “(Joyce’s playing partner) Jim Barron was just outside my mark on the same line and lipped out. I made it.”

   A couple of Concord members, Tom O’Dea (66) and Len Orlando (68) finished third and tied for fourth, respectively, in the overall scoring. Ron Brunner of Overbrook Golf Club had a 69 that also earned him top honors among those with handicaps between 17 and 27.

   Some other scores posted by golfers from Delco clubs included: Joseph Dayton (70) of  The Golf Course at Glen Mills; John O’Rourke (70) of McCall Golf & Country Club; Robert Murray (71) of McCall; Evan Angel (73) of Edgmont; Vito Caracappa (73) of Glen Mills; John Kyle (73) of Edgmont; Frank Seltzman (75) of Edgmont; Scott Ryan (77) of Llanerch Country Club; Ed Rogers (78) of Concord; William McCabe Jr. (80) of McCall; Andy Mackinnon (80) of Concord; George Hilley (82) of McCall; and Frank Cook Jr. (85) of McCall. 

   Hoping to get to a wrapup of a strong showing by Llanerch in qualifying for the GAP Team Championships next time.